Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for Parkinson's disease was withdrawn. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened due to new evidence received since the March 1971 rating decision, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding heart disability and back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, sleep apnea, back disorder, diabetes, and hypogonadism all as the result of exposure to radar.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for arteriosclerotic heart disease and TDIU from January 28, 2014 due to inadequate development.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for a heart disability and hyperlipidemia, finding that there was no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other agents during active duty. The Board also found that neither condition is a compensable disability.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease with angina was rated at 60 percent prior to May 1, 2007. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a 100 percent rating should be granted for the entire period from January 21, 2005, and assigned this effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the service-connected disabilities do not meet criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's recurrent right ear perforated tympanic membrane and recurrent otitis media are rated under Diagnostic Codes 6201-6211.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 4, 2008 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is denied. The Board found no informal claim for heart disease prior to March 4, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for coronary artery disease was granted, with an effective date of May 8, 2012. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is part and parcel of the heart disability claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, including as secondary to herbicide exposure and PTSD, is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination, is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, including for ischemic heart disease presumed related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand. The left shoulder disorder was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction was also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed as the issue is related to a different claim.

The Veteran's disability rating for prostate cancer residuals was reduced from 100% to 60%, effective March 1, 2010. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed no recurrence of prostate cancer and the Veteran was not undergoing treatment.,SMC based on housebound status was restored effective March 1, 2010, due to the Veteran's service-connected bowel incontinence precluding him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened. However, his bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a VA compensation disability due to normal hearing in both ears. The claims of service connection for heart disorder, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities, and prostate disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, residuals of stroke, atrial fibrillation, COPD, OSA, and a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have ischemic heart disease at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residual scars, first degree burns of the face. The Veteran's other claims have also been denied.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating was 100 percent, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities. The criteria for the assignment of a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted as due to herbicide exposure during his active duty in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA examination opinions regarding his stomach disability, skin cancer, coronary artery disease, right shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus.